Sandoval named Chula Vista's city manager

CHULA VISTA – Jim Sandoval, who retired in June as head of Chula Vista's planning and building department, has been named the new city manager in a 4-1 vote, officials announced Wednesday.

All but Mayor Cheryl Cox supported Sandoval, 53, who was among three finalists for the job.

Sandoval replaces David Garcia, who came under scrutiny this fall and was later fired over images he was viewing on his work computer.

With more than 30 years of government experience, including a total of 10 in Chula Vista, Sandoval begins Dec. 18. Details of his contract are still being negotiated.

“I know the city is going through difficult times right now,” Sandoval said. “I'm happy to help get us through these difficult times, but I also believe the city has a very bright future.”

In a two-week period in October, about 40 people applied for the position after the council decided it would not conduct a nationwide search or use a firm to find Garcia's replacement.

Sandoval was a finalist for the position in 2007 when Garcia was hired after a yearlong search.

During Sandoval's first tenure with Chula Vista, which started in 1999, he began as assistant planning director and moved into the director position after four years.

City Council members lauded Sandoval as an independent thinker with a wealth of development experience who has an ability to stay out of political bickering.

Although balancing the budget will be Sandoval's most immediate challenge, he also faces other hurdles. The city is working on major development projects on the bayfront and in the eastern section, and it is trying to attract a four-year university.

“Jim has a proven track record of results and will be able to move our university project and our bayfront plans to reality and create jobs for our community,” said Councilman John McCann, who was named deputy mayor Tuesday night.

Rudy Ramirez does not believe Cox's no vote to Sandoval's contract will affect him.

“Jim has the quality of character to overcome that,” Ramirez said. “It's unfortunate that we have to start off this way. It would have been better for the new manager to come in with a unanimous vote, but he didn't get that. We'll deal with it and we will overcome it.”

Cox said her no vote indicated her support for Interim City Manager Scott Tulloch, who was also a finalist for the job.

“I look forward to working with Mr. Sandoval,” the mayor said. “There are very difficult times ahead for the city, but he has a lot of experience with planning and I look forward to developing a working relationship with him.”

Before arriving in Chula Vista, Sandoval, who is married with two adult children, worked for the city of Del Mar as director of planning and community development. He also worked for Imperial Beach in the same capacity.

He will administer a $274 million budget and oversee 11 departments with a work force of more than 1,100. The number of employees, however, is likely to be reduced in the coming year because of a $20 million deficit projected for next fiscal year.

“I've been pleased with the way the budget process has been going,” Sandoval said. “I've been attending all the meetings. I'll be meeting with Scott (Tulloch) and the budget people so they can get me up to speed and I can share thoughts I have.”